ASEAN INTER-PARLIAMENTARY BURMA CAUCUS VISITS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BANGKOK 001578

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR EAP/BCLTV

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/03/2015
TAGS: PREL PHUM PREF TH BM BURMA ASEAN
SUBJECT: ASEAN INTER-PARLIAMENTARY BURMA CAUCUS VISITS
BANGKOK


Classified By: Political Counselor Robert J. Clarke. Reason 1.4 (d)



1. (U) Summary. Several members of the informal Association
of Southeast Nations (ASEAN) Inter-Parliamentary Myanmar
Caucus visited Thailand this week, hosted by Senator Kraisak
Choonhavan, Chairman of the Thai Senate Foreign Relations
committee. In a March 2 press conference, the Caucus called
for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi (ASSK) and a more open
and democratic National Convention process in Rangoon. The
Caucus also stated that Burma should not be allowed to assume
the rotational chairmanship of ASEAN next year, unless
significant progress is made on democratic reforms. Caucus
members met with Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai, who
told the group that their concerns and suggestions for change
in Burma should be taken seriously by ASEAN member
governments. Surakiart also confirmed that the Royal Thai
Government (RTG) would continue its policy of "constructive
engagement" with the Burmese regime, although he said
privately that the RTG did not object to the
parliamentarians' public criticism of the military government
in Burma. End Summary.


2. (U) Thai Senator Kraisak Choonhavan, chairman of the
Senate Foreign Relations Committee, hosted a meeting on March
2-3 of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Myanmar (formerly Burma)
Caucus, which was formed in 2004. Parliamentarians from
Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and the Philippines
met in Thailand to discuss strategies for promoting
democratic change in Burma. The informal Caucus consists of
elected representatives from five of the 10 ASEAN member
states. In the case of Malaysia, participation is from both
government and opposition members of parliament (MPs).


3. (U) At a press conference on March 2 attended by poloff,
Caucus Chairman Datuk Zaid Ibrahim of Malaysia admitted that
the group had encountered some skepticism about its chances
for changing the Burmese regime's dictatorial ways. But
Datuk stated that he and other ASEAN parliamentarians felt
that it was time for ASEAN to move past its stated policy of
strict "non-interference" in the internal political affairs
of member states in the case of Burma. Many of the Caucus
members acknowledged that each of their countries have
significant domestic problems, but Burma truly stands out in
ASEAN since there is not even a hint of democratic governance
or a free press, to say nothing of its egregious human rights
abuses. Rather than focus on the many abuses of the Burma
Army and the military government, Datuk said, the Caucus
hoped to focus on two issues first: unconditional release of
democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, and a complete review of
the upcoming ASEAN chairmanship of Burma. Other members of
the visiting Caucus delegation included Lim Kit Siang of
Malaysia, Nursyahbani Katjasu-gakana and Mulfahri Harahap of
Indonesia, Loretta Rosales of the Philippines, and Son Chhay
of Cambodia.


4. (SBU) Caucus members expressed their desire to visit
Rangoon as a group in the future. Some members, however,
speculated privately to poloff that they might not be able to
get a visa for Burma or at best be met with a polite, "not
now, we're too busy" from the generals. Son Chhay of
Cambodia said if the group did not go together, he would try
to visit alone and see ASSK. Son Chhay also threw out the
idea of having Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen help
negotiate with the SPDC in Burma. "Sometimes it takes
another dictator to talk to a dictator," he said, noting that
Hun Sun would benefit from being seen in a good light as a
negotiator with the Burmese junta, if progress were made.


5. (C) On March 3, Caucus members met with Thai Foreign
Minister Surakiart. Sunai Phasuk, advisor to Senator
Kraisak, described the 90-minute meeting as "very open".
Participants included Thai MFA Permanent Secretary Krit (whom
Surakiart recently designated as his lead official for
exchanges with Burma),and representatives from ASEAN Affairs
and the International Organizations Departments. Surakiart
suggested to the group that they submit formal
recommendations to the ASEAN foreign ministers "retreat" that
will take place in Cebu, the Philippines next month.
Surakiart encouraged the Caucus to visit the regime in
Rangoon, but indicated that he thought a visit by Thai MPs
might be too sensitive at this time. Sunai revealed that
Senator Kraisak and Datuk met privately with the FM after the
formal meeting with the larger Caucus group. Damrong
Kraikruan, Burma desk officer at MFA, was present at the
larger meeting. When contacted by poloff afterwards, he
described the exchanges as "constructive and
non-confrontational." He reported that the MPs had presented
their case for a more active role of ASEAN member countries
in pressing for the release of ASSK, for a more open and
participatory National Convention, and for review of the
qualifications of Burma for the ASEAN chairmanship.
According to Damrong, FM Surakiart argued that it is
important not to give deadlines to the Burmese regime, as
this might prove counterproductive. Surakiart also said that
the ASEAN governments and the Caucus should agree on a
"division of labor", with the Caucus doing the public work of
pressuring the regime and the RTG and others working behind
the scenes with the SPDC.


6. (C) Comment. The RTG is usually very sensitive about
press conferences at which foreign critics blast a
neighboring country, especially Burma, which it is trying to
cultivate. Perhaps in this case the relatively high
political stature of the visiting Caucus members kept the RTG
from interfering and opened the door at MFA for a meeting
with FM Surakiart. Clearly Surakiart and the Caucus were not
really in agreement, but the Thai MFA may see value in
facilitating the Caucus' public pressure on the SPDC (as
outlined by Surakiart). MFA may regard this as a means of
strengthening the Thai image of openness with the SPDC and
thus further its own search for new interlocutors in Rangoon
to replace ousted PM Khin Nyunt, who had been a key Thai
contact. End Comment.
BOYCE